New Orleans’ Catholic archbishop Gregory Aymond has faced a tumultuous week with controversies involving the firing of food bank leaders and emails with pro sports franchises coming to light. The turmoil began when Aymond fired the CEO and top board members of the Second Harvest food bank who refused to contribute $16m towards settling child molestation claims in a federal bankruptcy case filed by the church.
The controversy deepened when emails between the NFL’s Saints and NBA’s Pelicans revealed more involvement in helping Aymond with media coverage of the abuse scandal than previously acknowledged. Aymond declined interviews and defended his actions in a video statement, claiming the leadership of Second Harvest refused to sign a necessary agreement.
However, court records showed that the agreement was not due until 2025, contradicting Aymond’s claims. The ousted food bank leaders supported extending the agreement but proposed removing Aymond as the sole corporate member. Aymond had already amended the governing documents to give himself more power over the food bank.
The situation escalated when Aymond unilaterally appointed new leaders to the board, leaving board members feeling powerless. The ongoing conflicts have led to public scrutiny and accusations of mishandling the situation. Second Harvest’s financial position and Aymond’s increased control over the food bank have raised concerns about transparency and accountability within the church’s leadership.
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